Deleting the bad VC problem...

Alright. I started this thread because of a post from another thread that's been running called "Grabs When Turning" aka.... http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26624

The following is a quote from breeaad:

Free fix!!!! 1 8mm wrench will loosen 4 bolts and drop the front driveshaft, taking your frozen viscous coupler out of the equation. Or you can fork out the $400 for a new one and research the installation instruction on the net. Last resort....pay someone $2000 to fix it. I opted for the first option.

Here's the question ---> Is this a good quick fix or does this cause other problems due to computer feedback issues or some crazy Jeep thing???

Personally I like it alot. I have a tear in my right front axle boot and two sloppy balljoints that I am definitely going to replace ASAP.

I changed the Transfer Case to synthetic. When I did I found a small phenalic (fancy word for oil resistant hard plastic) piece of something near the drain hole. I did the best thing I could think of. Pretend I didn't see it, put the plug back in, and filled 'er on up with the good stuff! :nono:

Now I know this is going to come back to me in a bad way sometime in the future. Why do you think I have AAA Plus with the 100 mile tow option? I was looking to replace the Quadratrac with a Selectrac anyway. So if it goes premature - oh well!

But breeaad's fix sounds simple enough. Just thought I'd run it by the JeepGods first. - as always - thanks in advance.

Alright. I started this thread because of a post from another thread that's been running called "Grabs When Turning" aka.... http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26624

The following is a quote from breeaad:

Free fix!!!! 1 8mm wrench will loosen 4 bolts and drop the front driveshaft, taking your frozen viscous coupler out of the equation. Or you can fork out the $400 for a new one and research the installation instruction on the net. Last resort....pay someone $2000 to fix it. I opted for the first option.

Here's the question ---> Is this a good quick fix or does this cause other problems due to computer feedback issues or some crazy Jeep thing???

Personally I like it alot. I have a tear in my right front axle boot and two sloppy balljoints that I am definitely going to replace ASAP.

I changed the Transfer Case to synthetic. When I did I found a small phenalic (fancy word for oil resistant hard plastic) piece of something near the drain hole. I did the best thing I could think of. Pretend I didn't see it, put the plug back in, and filled 'er on up with the good stuff! :nono:

Now I know this is going to come back to me in a bad way sometime in the future. Why do you think I have AAA Plus with the 100 mile tow option? I was looking to replace the Quadratrac with a Selectrac anyway. So if it goes premature - oh well!

But breeaad's fix sounds simple enough. Just thought I'd run it by the JeepGods first. - as always - thanks in advance.


This is a good fix, you will not have to worry about damaging anything else except for the possibility of someone elses proporty/car/etc... Remember to use your E-Brake/Parking Brake anytme you shut the vehicle off, it will roll backward/forward while parked on a slight grade, because with the front driveshaft removed there is no park lock, on these models the parklock is in the OD Unit instead of the tranny, which uses the tension from the front shaft to engage. I went all last summer (2005) without my front driveshaft on and did not do any harm, I don't have a problem with my VC, I did it in attempt to get better gas mileage, but that was damn near impossible since I was smokin' the tires every chance I got, altho i did get about 1.5 MPG extra according to my overhead consol.

Maui Dave:
To answer your questions from the previous thread: I have not had any complications at all. No check engine light, running problems etc. I was also concerned when I first pulled the shaft that something would go wrong that I hadn't thought of. But the shaft has been out for about 1500 miles with no adverse effects. As far as the parking concern that has been posted, I have not experienced that. The tranny parking bar seems to be doing the job of holding the vehicle, even on a slope. But I will use the parking brake from now on, just to be safe. I have not noticed any fuel savings. The onboard computer has shown the vehicle to get about 15mpg (5.2L V8) and this hasn't changed since I pulled the shaft.

I live in Tennessee and have not needed the 4x4 since I have owned it, but I'm sure we will have a big snowstorm this winter and I will wish it worked!!!

Maui Dave:
To answer your questions from the previous thread: I have not had any complications at all. No check engine light, running problems etc. I was also concerned when I first pulled the shaft that something would go wrong that I hadn't thought of. But the shaft has been out for about 1500 miles with no adverse effects. As far as the parking concern that has been posted, I have not experienced that. The tranny parking bar seems to be doing the job of holding the vehicle, even on a slope. But I will use the parking brake from now on, just to be safe. I have not noticed any fuel savings. The onboard computer has shown the vehicle to get about 15mpg (5.2L V8) and this hasn't changed since I pulled the shaft.

I live in Tennessee and have not needed the 4x4 since I have owned it, but I'm sure we will have a big snowstorm this winter and I will wish it worked!!!

The rolling is not a fast moving thing it will be very slow but it you park on a hill and watch the tires you will see them moving slowly. I dunno maybe on your jeep the parklock is in the tranny.

dksob81 and breeaad,

Looks like I've got this weekend's project. Thanks for the brake tip. I would have thought that the tranny would take care of that. Might as well tighten up the rear cable a tad just to be extra safe.

Thanks again - Dave

dksob81 and breeaad,

Looks like I've got this weekend's project. Thanks for the brake tip. I would have thought that the tranny would take care of that. Might as well tighten up the rear cable a tad just to be extra safe.

Thanks again - Dave
Check out the other other thread again, I added some info to it to help out.

Sorry to revive an old thread.

I need details on removing the drive shaft.

The four eight mm bolts are easy, but how does the rest of the shaft come off?

Thanks!

there should be 4 8mm bolts on the transfer case end as well.